Attempted Calgary catalytic converter theft ends in saw attack

A Calgarian was attacked by someone with a reciprocating saw while trying to stop the theft of a catalytic converter this week.

It happened early morning Tuesday when thieves attempted to take the vehicle part from one of Calgary Italian Bakery’s trucks.

Louis Bontorin, co-owner of the bakery, told CityNews a catalytic converter was stolen from one of his business’ trucks two weeks ago as well.

“One of my drivers who was loading his truck actually heard some noise [Tuesday morning], went out to investigate, and was confronted by three people trying to take the catalytic converter,” Bontorin said.

When the driver confronted the would-be thieves, one of them attacked the driver with the reciprocating saw they were using to cut the converter from the truck.

“The scary part is just the threat and the fact that they’re getting desperate,” Bontorin said. “I mean, being confronted and then attacking someone with a [reciprocating] saw is scary, and I mean I’m glad our employee is safe, he has some cuts on his arm, nothing that is that major, but he’s been traumatized.”

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Bontorin says he told the city over six months ago that the lights on the street around his business were not turning on at night, and has grown increasingly frustrated by it.

He adds he called 311 to mention the faulty streetlights again after the first time a catalytic converter was stolen from his business weeks ago.

Bontorin’s wife called the city Tuesday morning to say their concerns about the lighting have escalated because of the saw attack.

“We’re concerned about our employee’s safety, I mean, this is sort of symptomatic of when lights are out you don’t have that safety component associated with illuminating the night, so the concern being with our employees walking safely back and forth to work,” he explained.

A statement to CityNews from the City of Calgary says: “These lights are not typical streetlights. They are mounted to ENMAX wood poles and require unique skillset/certifications to be repaired. We have some history of repairs at these locations going back to 2017. The current issue has been escalated with ENMAX and we expect a crew to attend within the coming days and report back should there be a more extensive repair required.”

Bontorin says Calgary police told him three suspects have been apprehended in connection with Tuesday’s incident.